Engaging means of starter to gasoline engine



0a. 11, 1960 P, VAKQS ETAL 2,955,584

ENGAGING MEANS OF STARTER TO GASOLINE ENGINE Filed Nov. 24, 1958 RON V un N mVC m V o R M D 5 EA H l J ENGAGING MEANS OF STARTER 'ro GASOLINE ENGINE Peter Vakos and Richard A. Glenn, Racine, Wis., assignors to Acme Die Casting Corp., Racine, Wis.

/ Filed Nov. 24, 1958, Ser. No. 776,106

7 Claims. 01. 123-179 7 This invention relates to a spring impulse type of gasoline engine starter, and, more especially, it relates to that portion of the starter which engages the crankshaft of the engine. i a

'It is an object of this invention to provide a starter with improved construction of the parts which drivingly connect the starter to the engine crankshaft. In accomplishing this object, the improvement is in that portion where the driving member of the starter is fully engaged with the driven member on the engine crankshaft before the energy of the starter spring is released.

Another object of this invention is to provide a starter which is improved in that portion where the driving part on the starter and the driven part on the engine are antomatically disengaged and positively held out of contact of each other when said engine is running.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional view through a preferred embodiment of this invention and showing the same mounted on. a fragment .of a conventional gasoline engine.

'Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1.

'Fig. 4is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of Fig. l.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts .throughout the several views.

Fig. 1 shows the starter of this invention to be mounted on a conventional type of gasoline engine having a housing portion 11 and a shaft end 12 to which is attached, as by nut 13, a ring or ratchet member 14 having internal teeth 16. Also, a grass clipping guard or deflector 17 is secured to the cup-shaped ring 14 to protect the interior of the gasoline engine from debris of grass clippings or the like.

The starter includes a housing 18 which is supported by legs or the like 19 which are shown welded at 21 to the floor of the housing 18, and with the other ends of the legs 19 being secured by sheet metal screws 22 to co-axial with the axis of the crankshaft 12. A sleeve or part of a stop member 28 is concentrically disposedover the shaft 27 and is attached to a handle 29 by means'of a bolt 31 which passes through 'the handle and into a threaded upper end of the sleeve 28. 7 At this time it should also be noticed that the handle 29 is preferably made of a channel-shaped material and includes ahin'ge 32 "for purposes of foldin'g the handle back into an inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 1, when the handle is United States Pa er R lCe A 2,955,584 Patented Oct. 1 1, 1960 not required for operating the starter. The sleeve 28 has a pin 33 extending therethrough and connecting to a collar 34 by extending into the collar so that the sleeve 28 and collar 34 are nonrotatably secured together such that the rotation of one imparts identical rotation to the other. A member 36 is coiled around the circular collar 34 in the several coils shown, and the member is of suitable material so that, through a pin 37 depending from the handle 29 and with the pin engaging a loop 38 on the upper end of the member 36, the latter is placed in a rotationally driving condition with respect to the collar 34 when the handle 29 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed from the top. The member 36 is also so arranged that when the handle 29 is rotated in clockwise direction, as viewed from the stop, then the member 36 will not tighten upon the collar 34, and thus .there will be no drive connection between the member 36 and the collar 34. In this manner, the member 66 is a unidirectional drive connector or sprag which imparts rotation therethrough in only one selected direction, namely the counter-clockwise direction in the instance shown.

The lower end of the sleeve 28 is engaged with a pin or rod 39 extending through the shaft 27 and is disposed in the diametrical slot 41 in the lower end of the sleeve 28. On the lower end of the sleeve 28, another unidirectional connector 42 is suitably wound with a loop 43 engaging a depending pin 44 which is welded to thecover 23 of the housing 18. In this instance, the member 42 is wound opposite to the member 36 so that rotation of the handle 29 in the counter-clockwise direction will transmit the rotation to the sleeve 28, and the member 42'- will merely be in sliding contact with the lower portionof the sleeve 28. However, when clockwise rotation of the sleeve 28, such as that which might be induced by the; shaft 27, is urged in the sleeve 28, then the sprag or uni-- directional member 42 will prevent the sleeve 28 from ro-- tation in the clockwise direction, as viewed from the top.

At this time it should also be noticed that a member'46 is stationarily attached to the cover 23, and the member has an inclined upper surface 47 thereon, and this surface engages a similarly inclined surface which is the lower edge of the circular member 48 rotatably dis-- posed over the central portion of the sleeve 28. A pro-- jection 49 is attached to the member 48, and a controi rod 51 is in turn attached to the member 49 with the lat-- ter being secured to the member 48 by welding or the: like. A clamp 52 is mounted on the housing 18 in a suitable manner to support the conduit 50 so that the rod 51 can move axially through the conduit 50 to rotate the member 48. It should also be understood that the rod 51 extends to a position remote from the housing 18 suchas to the upper end of a lawn mower handle so that the starter can be controlled from a remote point. Thus, upon axial movement of the rod 5-1, the member 48 is rotated to move its lower surface up the incline 47 of the member 46, and such movement raises the collar 34 and the sleeve 28 to disengage the sleeve groove 41 1 from the 'in 39 and thus free the shaft 27 from the connections described in the foregoing. In order to maintain the connection 'between the shaft 27 and the sleeve 28, a flat spring 53 is disposed between the housing cover 23 and the shoulder 54 of the sleeve 28 so that the spring 53 yieldingly urges downwardly on the sleeve 28 to maintain the sleeve and shaft engagement mentioned. I

It will also be noticed that a spirally coiled spring 56 is disposed within the housing 18 and connected to -a stud 24 at the left side in Fig. l at the outer end of the spring while the inner end of the spring is connected to a sleeve 57 which is preferably flat as at 58. A pin .59 extends through the shaft 27 and sleeve 57 and'has an angled end 60 disposed to the clockwise direction of rotation of the starter. Also, the inner end of the spring 56 is flat in its portion 61 and has an opening 62 through which the end of the pin 59 projects to provide the drive connection between the shaft 27 and the spring 56.

Thus, the rotational drive connection between the shaft 27' and the spring 56 exists only in the counter-clockwise direction of rotation, and that is the direction shown in Fig.

l by the arrow marked B On the drawing.

The lower end a of the shaft 27 supported by a housing portion 63 which is welded to or otherwise The pawl 67 has a flat spring or retarder 71 attached thereto by a rivet 72, and the spring wire 71 extends around the shaft 27 to a side diametrically opposite the pivot pin 68, and the end 73 of of the arm 71 is rounded to engage teeth 74 on the bottom of the support 63. The teeth 74 are stationarily supported in the starter as the fixed par-t 63 includes the teeth 74. The spring 71 is of course sprung toward the teeth to engage them as shown, and the teeth are shown rounded or with suitably inclined faces with respect to a line between the pin 72 and the tooth contacted by the spring end 73 to permit the spring end 73 to slide over the teeth. Also note that the spring 71 is twisted one quarter turn at 76 to have its wide side disposed against and around part of the U-shaped pawl 69. The spring end 77 is thus disposed along the back of the U-shaped pawl, and this arrangement keeps the spring oriented as shown with respect to both the pawl 69 and the teeth 74. It will thus be understood that when the shaft 27 is rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed from above, which is the direction indicated in Fig. l by the arrow marked A, then the spring 71 engaging the teeth 74 will pivot the pawl 67 about its pin 68 so that the pawl will engage the teeth 16. At this time it should also be seen, as shown in Fig. 3, that the loop 43 of the connector 42 engages the pin 44 loosely so that the engagement provides a lost motion between the pin 44 and the connector 42, and such lost motion i the amount of rotation of the shaft 27 to cause the pawl 67 to engage the ring teeth 16. Also, this slight rotation of the shaft 27 is induced by an unwinding of the spring 56 after the operator has released the handle 29 after completing a winding operation of the spring 56. Thus, the pawl and V the ring are engaged prior to the time that the full energy of the spring 56 is released to transmit rotation to the shaft 27 and subsequently to the engine crankshaft 12 for starting the engine. When the engine commences to operate, the crankshaft 12 with the member 14 will rotate at a high speed so that the teeth 16 free the pawl 67 which can return to the Fig. 2 position. The spring 71 holds the pawl in that radially inward position. Thus, no part of the starter continues to rotate when the engine is running. Also, the starter is so constructed that it can be wound up even while the engine i running. Further, upon winding the starter, the spring 71 will flatten due to the pull on it, and the intermediate portion of the spring between end 73 and twist 76 will ride on the teeth 74 so there is no wear of the end 73 and there is no noise of the winding. Upon release of the starter handle, there is positive actuation of the pawl 67 as the end 73 is retarded by engaging the teeth 74.

While a specific embodiment of this invention has been shown and described, it should be obvious that certain changes could be made therein, and the scope of this invention should, therefore, be limited only by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a spring impulse type of starter for use on a gasoline engine including a crankshaft rotatable in an engine running direction and with the starter including a coil spring spiraled around a shaft and including a handle for winding said spring, the combination comprising a driven member attached to said crankshaft, a driving member attached to said shaft for movement into engagement with said driven member upon slight rotation of said shaft in said running direction, stop means connected to said shaft for releasably securing the latter against rotation in said running direction and after said slight rotation, a circular member fixedly mounted in said starter to be concentric with said shaft and including a plurality of teeth on the circumference of said circular member, and a resilient connector attached to said driving member and being engaged with said teeth of said circular member for moving said driving member into said engagement with said driven member upon aid slight rotation of said shaft.

2. In a spring impulse type of starter for use on a gasoline engine including .a crankshaft rotatable-in an engine running direction and with the starter including a coil-spring spiraled around a shaft and including a handle for winding said spring, the combination comprising a driven member attached to said crankshaft, a driving member attached to said shaft for movement radially outwardly into engagement with said driven member upon slight rotation of said shaft in said running direction, stop means connected to said shaft for releasably securing the latter against rotation in said running direction and after said slight rotation, a circular .member fixedly mounted in said starter to be concentric with said shaft and including a plurality of teeth on the circumference of said circular member, and a resilient connector attached to .said driving membe and being engaged with said teeth of said circular member and being extended thereto in said running direction from said driving member for moving said driving member radially outwardly into said engagement with said driven, member upon said slight rotation of said shaft, said teeth including an inclined tooth face disposed at an angle with respect to said connector for disengagement of the latter fiom one of said teeth and engageable with another of said teeth for holding said driving member out of engagement with said driven member in 'acoil spring spiraled around .a shaft and including a handle. for said spring, the combination comprising a ring attached 'to said crankshaft and including a plurality of teeth disposed around and on the inner circumference of said ring, a pawl pivota'lly connected to said shaft .for radial .movement into engagement with said teeth, stop means connected to said shaft for releasably securing the latter against rotation after a slight rotation of said shaft in said engine running direction, a member mounted in said, starter and including a plurality of teeth disposed radially inwardly of said pawl, and a connector attached to said pawl and engaged with said teeth of said member for pivoting said pawl into engagement with said teeth of said ring upon said slight rotation of said shaft. r 4. In a spring impulse type of starter for use on a gasoline engine including a crankshaft rotatable in an engine running directionand with the starter including a coil spring spiraled around a shaft and including a handle for winding said spring, the combination comprising a ring attached to said crankshaft and including a plurality of teeth disposed around and on the inner circumference of said ring, a pawl pivotally' connected to said shaft for radial movement into engagement with said teeth, stop means connected to said shaft for releasably securing the latter against rotation after a slight rotation of said shaft in said engine running direction, a circular member mounted in said starter and disposed with the circular path of rotation of said pawl with said shaft and including a plurality of teeth disposed on the circumference of said member radially inwardly of said pawl, and a spring wire attached at one end to said pawl and engaged at the other end with said teeth of said member for pivoting said pawl into engagement with said teeth of said ring upon said slight rotation of said shaft and for holding said pawl radially inwardly away from said teeth of said ring when said engine commences firing and have said ring overrun said pawl.

5. In a spring impulse type of starter for use on a gasoline engine including a crankshaft rotatable in an engine running direction and with the starter including a coil Spring spiraled around a shaft and including a handle for winding said spring, the combination comprising a driven member attached to said crankshaft, a driving member attached to said shaft for movement into engagement with said driven member upon slight rotation of said shaft in said running direction, stop means connected to said shaft for releasably securing the latter against rotation in said running direction and after said slight rotation, a circular member mounted in said starter to be concentric with said shaft and including a plurality of teeth on the circumference of said circular member, and a resilient member in said starter and being engaged with said teeth of said circular member and with one of the latter two said members connected to said driving member for moving said driving member into said engagement with said driven member upon said slight rotation of said shaft.

6. In a spring impulse type of starter for use on a gasoline engine including a crankshaft rotatable in an engine running direction and with the starter including a coil spring spiraled around a shaft and including a handle for winding said spring, the combination comprising a driven member attached to said crankshaft, a driving member attached to said shaft for movement into en-, gagement with said driven member upon slight rotation of said shaft in said running direction, stop means connected to said shaft for releasably securing the latter against rotation in said running direction and after said slight rotation, a circular member fixedly mounted in said starter to be concentric with said shaft and including a plurality of teeth on the circumference of said circular member, and a resilient connector attached to said driving member and extending therefrom in said running direction to the diametrically opposite side of said circular member and being engaged with said teeth of said circular member for moving said driving member into said engagement with said driven member upon said slight rotation of said shaft and to secure said driving member out of said engagement after said engine commences firing.

7. In a spring impulse type of starter for use on a gasoline engine including a crankshaft rotatable in an engine running direction and with the starter including a coil spring spiraled around a shaft and including a handle for winding said spring, the combination comprising a driven member attached to said crankshaft, a driving member attached to said shaft for movement into engagement with said driven member upon slight rotation of said shaft in said running direction, stop means connected to said shaft for releasably securing the latter against rotation in said running direction and after said slight rotation, a circular member fixedly mounted in said starter to be concentric with said shaft and including a plurality of teeth on the circumference of said circular member, and a flat spring attached to said driving member and bent therearound with the flat side of said spring disposed against said driving member and thereby always be oriented therewith, and said flat spring extending in said running direction from said driving member to said teeth.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,568,136 Weimer Sept. 18, 1951 2,692,589 Watkins l Oct. 26, 1954 2,875,851 Vakos Mar. 3, 1959 

